Mari's ANs: Sammy & Ilna, love you both for making every day better.

Sammy's ANs: Mari & Ilna-you're the best. McRollers-thanks for reading.

REAL McRollers and Readers, thank you, as always for the support and love. Happy birthday to our sweet boy, thanks for loving DJ as much as we do!

Blink of an Eye (1/2)

"Alright, everyone who isn't already a Cubbie, grab a Cubs hat!" Grace called cheerfully, standing under a banner that read 'Happy 12th Birthday DJ!' in Cubs blue and red. The backyard had been transformed into a miniature Wrigley Field with baseball-themed everything, from blue and red streamers to snack stands labeled Popcorn, Peanuts, and Cracker Jack.

DJ stood in the middle of it all, wearing a new Chicago Cubs shirt from his grandparents. He had a huge grin on his face as he fist-bumped Michael and handed him a hotdog.

"Brah," Michael said, spinning around slowly to take it all in. "This is raw. You even got a cooker thing with real hotdog rollers?"

"Grace found them," DJ laughed. "She said no ballpark is complete without hotdogs cooked on rollers."

"She's been hanging out with Grandma Ang," Michael chuckled, taking a bite. "Isn't this awesome, Coach Danny?"

Danny, who was adjusting the mustard to relish ratio on his own hotdog said, "It's perfect," with a grin, teasing, "I take partial credit for being the father of the best party planner on the island," he told them, eliciting a chuckle from both boys and an bark of laughter from Steve, who was adding mustard to a hotdog for Angie.

"Considering we're talking about McGarrett, do I even wanna know what this part of the beach roped off with caution tape is about?" Lou asked.

Kono surveyed the area. "This is where the trampoline the kids got for Christmas is going."

"Listen, I know it can be a little tricky to keep track of the seasons when it's warm and sunny every day of the year." Lou chuckled. "But this is either really early for next Christmas or really late for the last one."

"That's because the first two trampolines that got ordered had to go back," Kono explained.

"I'm pretty sure there were three that went back," Adam said. "This is the fourth one."

"Should I even ask what the problem was with the first three?" Lou asked.

"There were a couple of different things but basically the fear was they wouldn't contain Hurricane Angie," Kono said.

Lou barked a laugh. "There are a lot of things that won't contain that little ball of fire."

"Steve and Catherine ended up buying one from the same company that supplies the ones for the gymnastics school," Adam said. "Apparently the safety netting is higher and the springs are super-reinforced."

Lou eyed the taped off area and did a few mental calculations. "This seems like a lot of space. How big is this trampoline?"

Kono grinned. "They had to leave room for the foam pit that's gonna surround it as an extra layer of safety.

"Damn." Lou took a long drink of his beer. "I'm gonna ask when I can come over and play. This sounds like fun."

Cubbies Ryan and Aoki were battling it out at the backyard "pitching cage" Steve and Joseph had set up with a radar gun, and Caleb and a few other classmates were watching the "DJ's Dugout Desserts" table where Grace, Kaityln and Angie were organizing rows of cupcakes decorated like mini baseballs.

Angie was in her element. Wearing her brother's outgrown Chicago Cubs shirt - which, even hemmed up, was still several sizes too large, and a Cubs cap, she bounced from table to table, chatting with the guests and joining the party games along with Ashae.

"Baby Girl, can you get some napkins from inside and help Gracie put them on the dessert table?" Steve called from where he was setting up burgers and fries in trays with Catheirne.

"Yes! I'm very good at folding napkins," she responded. "C'mon. Ashae, come help me."

"The PR department is gonna tape the whole thing so I'll send you a copy as soon as I can," Kendra said into her phone from her spot on the corner of the deck.

"We just feel so bad that no one is going to be there to see your big solo. Your dad and I really wanted to fly over but it's foaling season and the kids aren't out of school yet…"

"I understand," Kendra said. "It's ok. Really it is."

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Joseph said as he approached. "Are you talking to your parents?"

Kendra nodded and put the call on speaker. "Mom, Dad, Joseph is here."

After an exchange of hellos Joseph reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He opened it up and held something up for Kendra to see.

"What … did you … I mean are you?" she stammered.

"Is everything ok, honey?"

Joseph smiled. "I think she was just a little surprised to find out that Elizabeth and I bought tickets for the performance. We'll be sitting front and center."

"That's so awesome," Kendra said. "You didn't need to do that."

"But we appreciate the fact that you did," Kendra's mom said.

"We know you'd be here if you could," Joseph said. "But since that's not possible, we are more than happy to be a couple of familiar faces in the crowd. We'll try to refrain from embarrassing her by giving her a standing ovation but we can't make any promises."

"How about if we return your kindness by sending some videos of the new baby goats for you to show Angie?" Kendra's father suggested.

Joseph barked a laugh. "You have yourself a deal."

The cats were lounging inside at the kitchen window after receiving attention from Kaitlyn when she placed tiny Cubs collars on them after adorning Cammie with a Cubs bandanna of her own.

Catherine walked over to her son from where she'd been talking with Carrie near the nearby lemonade stand. She handed DJ a drink and kissed his temple. "Am I still allowed to do that in front of your friends since you're twelve?" She chuckled.

"You're allowed to do that until I'm as old as Grandpa," DJ said with a beaming smile. "I'm lucky I've got the best mom and dad ever - I'll take hugs and kisses anywhere in front of anybody."

"Awwww, my sweet boy." She gathered him into a quick hug. She wasn't expecting a serious answer, and blinked back a tear. "We love you, and we're the lucky ones." She nodded to where his friends were lining up for a balloon toss under Jacob's direction. Go have fun, birthday boy."

"Thanks," DJ responded. "Thanks for another great birthday party, Mom."

"Ohh, it just got a little dusty out here," Carrie said with a sniff before reaching to squeeze her best friend's hand with a smile.

TBC

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